The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-09-24
THE WORK REVIEWED.
QUESTIONS FOR THE REVIEW BY
REV. r. S. M'ARTHUR, D. D.
How to Reconsider the Work OF the
Quarter That Began with the First
Nv, AZ.

Nv, AZ.
1t is always difficult to prepare and TO teacl
the Review Lesson.
Some schools may prefer the temperance
| lesson in Romans xiii, Nli, which Is sug
gcsted by the committees: other schools the
missionary lesson in Matthew ". l2-l6; still
other schools may Use the occasion rs prayer
and inquiry meeting. This we have known
| 10 be done with great success After the texts
are rectri and the records made the lca''ei
may give this direction to the occasion Re
! cent converts may & We brief testimonies, the
older Christians may add their ripor expert
ence, and those who desire 10 become Chris
| tians may manifest their desire by RISING.
! Then, after prayers have been offered. tho
| general school may DE dismissed, while Those
who wish for religious conversation may meet
| in some smaller room IL is our firm conviC-
ton that occns ons Of this sort should be more
| frequent We often cut down golden grain
| which we never gather into sheaves During
the past few years we have seen admirable
| results from the Use of these means. Children
while young should bo encouraged to give
their hearts to Christ and connect themselves
, with his church. But it is fitting that re-
| Wow SnoulNl ne gwen IDi t'i'N' hi'' WIN w
| 90 over the lessons in their order.
| |. July3. The Infant Jesus. Matthew ii, J.
| l2.-The word Jesus is explained for Us in the
Golden Text Of the lesson. IL is II precious
word TO every Christian ear and heart H.
was the true Joshua. He came to deliver his
people from bondage and to lead them To the
true Canaan. The infancy Of Jesus brings
him near 10 the hearts OF parents and chill
dren. He glori d and sanctliied tho cradle
he honored motherhood. The Christ must
have his birth in every heart In order that his
coming may bring to each one Of us the
largest possible blessing.
2 July 10. The Flight into Egypt. Matthew
ii, 1928 -Evcn rs a babe Chrisrs presence
developed hostility. Wherever ho comes he
excites tho wrath Of ignorant and wicked
men. In our early Christian life we must
expect prosecutions; but ~ God delivered his
infant Son, so he will deliver all who put
their trust In him.
g. July II. John the Baptist Matt iii, /.
l2.-The character OF the noble Baptist is
worthy of careful study. We need such stall
wart believers and fearless preachers in our
day He rightly OWNED the word, hs lived
what he preached, but his highest honor was
God" He decreased thrt Christ might in.
crease.
4. July "a The Baptism Of Jesus Matt
ill., 13-l7-The central thought Of this lesson
is the obedience of Jesus Christ lie stood in
our place; as our representative be submitted
TO baptism. God commended the net by an
audible voice from heaven expressing appro
val. Afterward Christ gave the command
mcnt to all believers to he baptized We
thus have both his command and example.
IL becomes us TO have due regard to this ordi-
nance as an act of obedience to our assembled
Lord. 1t marked lis entrance into his public
ministry. 1t was also the occasion Of lis re-
ceying fuller conceptions of hiseurthy work.
8. July 81. Tho Temptation of Jesus. Matt.
iv, l.1l.-From the waters Of baptism
Christ went to the wilderness Of temptation.
His whole soul is nGlow with holy enthusi
asm; but no act Of religious obedience, no con-
dition of spiritual joy, can assure'us of free
dom from temptation. 1t was "a moment OF
intense interest for the race. Satan had
overcome the first Adam. II he can over.
come the second Adam his victory VIII be
complete. Christ's example IN overcoming
Satan is worthy of our imitation. lie used
no weapon hut the Sword OF the spirit, which
is tho word of God" Temptations are sure
to come upon us; but Christ won, SO We may
win. Our Lord know by experience what the
struggle with temptation means; he therefore
can sympathizc with those that are tempted,
We may claim that sympathy, and we ilay
be sure that ho will give Us his divine help.
@. Aug. T. Jesus III Galilee. Matt. iv, IL
2J--This is lesson Of great interest. Christ
i. - 81.
ness We SEQ him hero walking 10y tho Sea of
Galilce, calling two pairs of brothers into his
service. Tho foundation of his church was
thus laid these men Immediately left their
daily duties and followed Jesus Their
prompt obedience we should initiate. Christ
showed himself to be II great teacher,
preacher and healer All manner of sickness
yielded to his power. He still possesses this
characteristic. He will heal tho souls of all
who will como unto him Our highest honor
is to become his disciples.
Z. Aug. H. The Beatitudes. Matt. v,
l-lG-This lesson many Sunday school schol-
ars know by heart. When Christ first opened
his mouth, blessings fell upon all who sat at
his feet. Never before nor since have such
wonderful words been spoken, The world
calls those who are rich the happy. Christ
contradicts this opinion. He called the poor,
tho sorrowing, the meek, the hungry, the
mercful the pure in heart, tho peace makers,
tho prosecuted, the happy ones of the earth.
We need still TO learn the lesson which he here
teaches. He also commands us to let our
light shine. Every boy and girl has some
light. We must keep the lower lights burn
ing
& Aug. 81 Jesus and the Law. Matt
V, 11-26 This is a continuation Of the ser
mon on tho mount. Many who heard Christ
supposed that he had come to destroy the
law. This was a great mistake. lle had not
come to destroy, but to fulfill He lifted the
law to higher plane; he carried its truths
from the outward act to the inward thought
lie was its original author, no was, there
fore, its best interpreter. This is true still;
even TO this hour he is tho worlds greatest
teacher.
8. Aug. % Piety without Display. Matt.
vi, lib There were many errors which
Christ was obliged to rebuke. One OF
them was tendency to make display of
piety. This was characteristic of the scribes
and Pharsees. Christ shows that our good
deeds are to he done with a regard for Gods
approval rather than mans; as in our pray
ers, so in our almsgiving. The man who
prays to be seen Of men will not DO heard of